CCTV was not working on the bus, but a passenger reported the Westhill Academy pupil had got off in the Crathes area – prompting officers to focus their massive search operation in the region.

The body of the teenager was found in a “remote wooded area” at Craig of Affrusk, south of Banchory.

Craig of Affrusk is around seven miles away from Crathes, and across the River Dee.

Last month, police scaled back their three month search and Liam’s devastated family admitted they had to be “realistic” about the challenges of finding him.

In a statement, they said: “We believe that Liam wasn’t feeling himself at the time he went missing and we would encourage any teenager who is feeling overwhelmed to speak to someone about their feelings.”

They said they had been “overwhelmed” at the huge public response to his disappearance, with thousands of people sharing appeals to bring the teen home.